A review on structural enhancement and repair using piezoelectric materials and shapememory alloys

Abstract

In the past two decades, the active and controllable mechanical properties of piezoelectricmaterials and shape memory alloys have been widely employed in structural enhancementand repair with remarkable and interesting research findings. This article is designed tointroduce and review these research findings. The active electromechanical property ofpiezoelectric materials is presented first. The research findings on both structural stabilityenhancement of engineering structures and repair of cracked/notched and delaminatedstructures under static and dynamic loadings via the piezoelectric materials follow. Theactive thermo-mechanical property of shape memory alloys and their applications instructural enhancement and repair are also briefly presented. Limitations of the currentstudies and recommended future endeavors are summarized as well. This review sums updifferent methodologies and designs in structural enhancement and repair usingpiezoelectric materials and shape memory alloys to promote new applications in the area.